CalStar Products' new CFO is Jack Barry, an experienced C-level executive with a wealth of experience in LEAN manufacturing principles.

“Jack’s diversity of experience, across a variety of categories and company sizes, brings key knowledge as CalStar continues its growth trajectory from startup to leading building products company,” said CalStar CEO Joel Rood. “In particular, his knowledge of LEAN principles and ability to maximize internal efficiencies will help CalStar maximize its high-volume manufacturing capabilities.”

Providence, Rhode Island-based air management company Nortek, Inc. named Jeffrey Mueller as group president of its Residential Ventilation (RESV) segment.

"Jeff Mueller's deep expertise in global kitchen and bath product manufacturing, operational improvement and strategic growth for leading brands will serve our RESV business well," said Nortek president and CEO Michael Clarke. "He has a solid record of results in an impressive series of previous positions, and we are excited to welcome him to the Nortek team."

National unemployment hedged down to 6.1% in August -- its lowest mark in several years -- making up for lost progress in July, when it ticked up to 6.2%.

However, the U.S. economy added a modest 142,000 jobs for the month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is well below the average monthly gain of 212,000 jobs per month in the past year.

Most of the job gains occurred in professional and business services, up 47,000 jobs in August.

PPG Industries has completed the sale of substantially all the assets of its Mount Zion, Illinois, glass manufacturing facility to automotive glass manufacturer Fuyao Glass America.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Fuyao plans to rebuild and retrofit the facility’s two production lines to manufacture automotive glass. PPG will continue to operate the plant for up to one year, producing Sungate coated glass and clear glass.

Buoyed by an improving economy, kitchen-cabinet manufacturer American Woodmark has announced its plans to expand its South Branch manufacturing facility in Moorefield, West Virginia.

"Our decision to expand our capacity is a statement of optimism and confidence in the market, our people and the value proposition of our brands," said president and COO Cary Dunston, who was just recently promoted to the title.

Charlotte, North Carolina-based Wastequip has hired Andrew Bardsley to the newly created role of VP retail for the Toter brand, in which he will be charged with leading the team's new Retail Business Unit.

With Bardsley in place, Toter's consumer business is poised to work toward its new long-term growth initiatives, including a move that will involve shifting all of its manufacturing operations to the U.S. Bardsley will be at the helm of Toter's "Made in America" initiative.

In this new position, Takach will oversee manufacturing and operations for Sierra Pacific’s Red Bluff, California Windows Plant as well as the two newly acquired Hurd and Superseal Window and Door plants in Wisconsin.